A Wraith at Midnight: A Historical Romance Anthology

by Mary Jo Putney, Chasity Bowlin, Susan King

When spooky manors and or ghostly specters call, this stunning collection of haunted Historical Romance novellas is sure to answer, leaving you breathless with ethereal, romantic tales…

Welcome to A WRAITH AT MIDNIGHT anthology!

Many of your favorite Historical Romance authors have come together for a collection of never-before published stories inspired by legendary hauntings and ghostly myths. A derelict old castle? A spectral lady wandering the forests? These tales will give you a chill, a thrill, and have you reading them over and over. From the moors of Devon to the ballrooms of Regency London, and far north into the Scottish Highlands, these stories will bring you wistful dreams of legendary and haunting romance. You’ve never before experience a collection like this by some of the very best authors in Historical Romance.

Authors in this anthology

Mary Jo Putney
Chasity Bowlin
Susan King
Mary Wine
Jade Lee
Maeve Greyson
Paula Quinn
Ruth A. Casie
Sandra Sookoo
Aurrora St. James
E.L. Johnson

Lock your doors, light your candle, and settle down to this smashing collection of darkly-tinged romantic stories with unforgettable heroes, magnificent ladies, and perhaps a spectral pet or two. Romance has never been so daring… or so haunting!

Read in Kindle Unlimited!

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Paranormal, Anthologies, Historical, Short Stories, Novella

638 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 26, 2024

About the author

She writes young adult fiction as M.J. Putney.

Mary Jo Putney was born on 1946 in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure. After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.

While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes. When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better. (“But why didn't anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”) Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.

Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published twenty-nine books and counting. Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse. She has made all of the national bestseller lists including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, and Publishers Weekly. Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal. The Spiral Path and Stolen Magic were chosen as one of Top Ten romances of their years by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.

A nine-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs for Dancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors. She has been awarded two Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards, four NJRW Golden Leaf awards, plus the NJRW career achievement award for historical romance. Though most of her books have been historical, she has also published three contemporary romances. The Marriage Spell will be out in June 2006 in hardcover, and Stolen Magic (written as M. J. Putney) will be released in July 2006.

Ms. Putney says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was going to review the short stories individually but I enjoyed the anthology so much I thought I'd do an over all rating. The stories were varied and interesting, all with a ghostly theme. I didn't like one of them, there were too many things that annoyed me, one I DNF'd and one was too silly for words.
My favourite was Ghostly Lady of Braemore by Susan King. Loved it.
A very nice collection of stories!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good anthology featuring nearly a dozen authors, the stories are all short so ideal for filling the odd hour or two, also an ideal book to delve into at this time of year as each story revolves around hauntings & ghosts. I thoroughly enjoyed them
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Mary Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

A lovely collection of stories relating to Halloween and Wraiths. I certainly enjoyed the first two thirds of the book some of the latter stories were less to my take but all great. Thoroughly recommend.


I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cat Who Walked Through Walls Mary Jo Putney
this story is about feline match makers who help bring together a returning war hero and his childhood best friend. He has unexpectedly inherited a title and his aunt is hosting a party for him to find aside. With The help of the magical cats, they rediscover one another. It was vey sweet and clean. just my kind of ghost story (cats). Clean romance and New to me author 3/5

The Night We Met Chasity Bowlin
Another new to me author this story is a hose hold that is haunted y th ghost of the former governess. Philippa is a woman escaping something in her past and jumps a the chance to take a position in a remote area. Devon is the uncle and now caretaker of his niece after both her parents and her last governess passed away. Together they work to solve the haunting of the castle and bring his niece out of her shell all while falling in love. Clean romance. 3/5

Ghostly Lady of Braemore Susan King

I have read this author before but I just don't love medieval timeframe books. This one was great though I think cause it wasn't about war and stuff like that. Gavin loves Elinor but he discovers the details of the curse placed on his family and decides to take matters in his own hands. However they must work together to free the ghost and curse that haunts his family. Can they fall in love as well. Really a fun ghost story and sweet romance. Clean once again but 5/5 for what I was looking for in this anthology.

Midnight Tempest Mary Wine

New to me author, Not Clean Romance, medieval story. I liked this story quite a lot. There is a person that can see into the future that deliverers prophecy surrounding a ghost that is haunting the laird's tower and his son. I liked the ghost story a lot and even though it felt so quick to fall in love, it made sense in the context of this story. I only wish that the starting story with our MFC was completely wrapped up. 4.5/5

Lady Vengeance by Jade Lee

Not a new to me author but the prologue edited and an exert of another story which I may read some day. Lady Scot. This was interesting, it was more romance than spooky story but the spookiness came from nightmares that the MFC has. The MMC is introduced while he is helping her but also puts her in place so to speak and thus begins this lite enemies to lovers. Her dreams are not clean and very HOT. This is wanton woman and I get it. His kids are cute cause they aren't perfect little girls they cause some havoc and I loved that. Definitely adding the other series to my TBR if it isn't already there. 4/5 only cause I would have enjoyed a little more spooky/magic

A Regrettable Curse by Maeve Greyson

Not a new author to me. Hmm this story is centered around a family that is cursed And has ghost! the man that cursed the family, his grandson is trying to break it by falling into true love and finding happiness. We are introduce to our couple after their marriage and our MMC has fallen in love at first sight. This felt like it could have been great its a little macabre and if it leaned a little more in to that it could have been a comedy. This is probably not a true clean space but its like a 0 on the open door scale. I like how honest the couple was with one another. 2.5/5

A Love For All Time Paula Quinn

New to me author. A decent story, this ha the time travel troupe modern day lady inherits older family home and meets the ghost that haunts it. She works with him to resolve the issues so that they can be together. Not a troupe that really interest me BUT fit the theme Of the book so I liked it. Clean 4/5.

My Heart’s Song Ruth A. Casie

New to me author. Edythe is on the way to her ancestral home she inherited and meets James on the sway headed to the same area. She comes to find that the house is a little haunted by previous lovers and works with those in the House hold and James to lift the curse. Can James and her get their happy ending? Clean but felt just okay. I liked that their was a mystery and the music box. 3/5

The Earl’s Haunted Heart Aurrora St. James

New to me author. Open door but not descriptive. Eve is being forced in to a marriage she does not want because she is able to sense ghost. Ambrose is cursed by a previous family member and stuck going mad by himself at his home. They come together to lift the curse and to love one another, will they get their HEA? I really liked this book all the characters seemed well fleshed for such a short book. Also there is an adorable cat. This is linked to the authors previous series and a to a future series I will be on the look out for. 5/5

An Invitation to Murder by E.L. Johnson

New to me author. I would say more on the cozy mystery side with a slice of romance. I LOVED it. Very much reminded me of the game clue. A group of people are invited to stay the night at a haunted mansion if they make it till the next morning they get 100 pounds each. I appreciate the usage of Romani (see its not that hard to respect a group of people's desired name) I liked our female detective Violet. This was short and sweet and a good mystery with an obvious outcome but enough red herrings to make you doubt yourself. 5/5

I did not read one story in this book but I did not like what I previously read by that author so I decided to skip it.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always on the lookout for themed anthologies, and this collection of 11 Gothic, historical romance stories is the perfect way to spend a cozy evening, curled up with a warm blanket and some Halloween candy or hot chocolate.

Each entry is short and sweet, sitting at about 50 pages each with varying levels of spice and spooky, paranormal twists. You've got stories featuring haunted mansions, ghosts, time travel, ancient family curses, love potions, and murder mysteries. There also a mix of romance tropes including friends-to-lovers, a second chance romance, and insta-love. With so many options, there's bound to be something for everyone to enjoy.

Cat lovers will find the entries by Mary Jo Putney and Aurrora St. James to be a must read. My other favorites include "The Night We Met" by Chastity Bowlin for a very classic Gothic, Jane Eyre feel, and "A Regrettable Curse" by Maeve Greyson that has a ghostly pov to a very cute love story.

My overall impression of this anthology is that each story is well fitted to the collection's theme, but the editing as a whole was lacking. I felt like there were a few stories that were very similar either in plot or in the paranormal aspect that ended up next to each other. This made for a slower pace, and I admit that my enthusiasm and enjoyment of the collection weakened because of the repetition. If the order was changed, I know I would have enjoyed a few entries a lot more than I did.

Highly recommend for historical romance lovers and for anyone looking to spend the spooky season in a cozy way.

I was provided with an advanced copy for free through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not usually a huge fan of ghost stories, but this was a wonderful anthology. This was a combination of true paranormal stories and others with tricksters to seem like there was a ghost. It was a perfect October read. I wish it had been released a little earlier because this kept me entertained for days. Although this is an anthology of novellas, they were each a decent length; so I only read one per day and finished well after Halloween. If you enjoy HR, I recommend picking up as it is a great value.

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this anthology are eleven stories from the Regency period with a slice of the paranormal. Some of these tales are good and some are not – they are uneven in their presentation and quality. Each was rated on its own merit, then their scores were added together and the sum divided by the number of stories. That final number is the star rating for the book.

“The Cat Who Walked Through Walls,” by Mary Jo Putney
Rated 5-stars
Major Rafe Delafield survived Waterloo yet finds facing his great aunt Agatha, aka The Gorgon, a much worse task. Highly doubtful. The beginning feels too blithe, but the story gets better.

The two heroes are not human. They are cats, The Black Rogue and Lady Fluff, who inhabit the Between Place, where cats who have gone through their nine lives wait to be reborn or used by the Council of Cats Who Walk Through Walls. The Black Rogue, the newest arrival to the Between Place, must complete a mission. “You must drive a human to his doom,” says Lady Fluff who is actually the Warrior Queen of the Council. It’s an interesting concept and “doom” can take many forms.

This mysterious doom remains part of the fascinating plotline. It is a sweet view of young love that became something more concrete as time tempered both Rafe and his longtime best friend, Sarah. This was a good introduction to the anthology.

+ + + + + +

“The Night We Met,” by Chastity Bowlin
Rated 3-stars
Miss Philippa Thomas is dropped off at Peregrine Hall—a terrifying castle—by a driver who will not approach it and leaves her to contend with her baggage…it’s a fine beginning. Devon Falconer lives in the castle with his niece, Elizabeth, who is in need of a governess, and Miss Thomas has come to fill that need. The housekeeper, Mrs. Baynard, lends a darkness to the household; we know immediately that she is not a good person. It promises to be an interesting and contentious relationship among these characters.

The story has a few “stoppers” that make a reader pause to figure out what the writer is trying to say. For instance, in chapter 9, the writer has Philippa ask, “What would Effie do in her shoes?” when Philippa is offered a chance at happiness in a new life. Who is Effie? It’s the only reference to this person in the story. Perhaps it’s someone who was incompletely edited out of the story? Another example is the hall’s name, Peregrine, which is also spelled “Peregrin.” There are some other errors, but they are only small stoppers.

+ + + + + +

“Ghostly Lady of Braemore” by Susan King
Rated 2.5 stars
Sir Gavin Stewart is the laird of Braemore in love with Miss Elinor Cameron. They are engaged to be married when Sir Gavin reads about a family curse carried out by the Gray Lady, the Braemore ghost. At the end of a 500-year period, the last laird’s love would die in his arms, and their wedding day marks the end of that 500 years…so…what does he do? He calls off the engagement and sends her away. It’s a silly proposition and difficult to believe, even in 1819. They were supposed to be in love, and he doesn’t tell her a thing, simply ends their relationship and has nothing more to do with her.

The reason for the haunting is suitably unfortunate, and when Elinor returns a year later, he apologizes, and all is forgiven (hmmm). Sending away the woman he loved without a word of explanation was cruel on Gavin’s part. It diminished him and the story as well. Elinor took Gavin back in the end (HEA, after all) but without some serious groveling on Gavin’s part, it felt odd and not at all momentous. Ho hum.

+ + + + + +

“Midnight Tempest,” by Mary Wine
Rated 3-stars
This story is reminiscent of the previous one but with a Maiden’s Tower (rather than an old tower) and the ghostly woman is called Brigitta, rather than the Gray Lady. Here, it is Brigitta who was treated unfairly rather than her lover. Diarmuid is our hero whom Brigitta’s ghost desires, and Ailsa is the woman who comes from another kingdom to ultimately save him. It’s a good story but with too much coincidence in it. A woman sets out on a sea voyage and coincidentally is betrayed but is coincidentally dressed in a way that allows her freedom of movement to swim for her life. She is coincidentally discovered by one of the laird’s men who brings her to the keep where she coincidentally is available to marry Diarmuid in order to rescue him from Brigitta. The story would have been more poignant if the two main characters had known each other. They were strangers and this made their behaviors unbelievable. It would have made more sense if they had been friends or at least acquaintances.

+ + + + + +

“Lady Vengeance” by Jade Lee
Excerpted and edited from Lady Scot
Rated 2-stars
Sadie Allen, a Scottish debutante in London, is called “Lady Vengeance” because she wrecks vengeance upon men who wrong women. It is a difficult premise to believe. Sadie Allen’s actions are implausible and silly. It may be that a longer story could show exactly how she came to be so skilled at fighting and tripping up misbehaving men. Apparently having younger brothers whom she looked after helped her in this regard – it is not explained well. I did not care for the story which seemed disjointed and at times oddly worded. For instance, the writer has a constable telling Miss Allen that “…you stabbed Mr. Carr viciously with a horrible Scottish scream.” I would have used a knife.

There is a missing preposition here: “Banshee have no love the English.” Perhaps, “…no love for the English?” In another sentence, the writer users a French word unexpectedly where no French has been spoken or referenced previously: “…ripped apart by a vengeant spirit.” Maybe she means “vengeful spirit?” Or perhaps in the book, Lady Scot, French is spoken often enough to have it enter usual speech.

Lord Heath is the man who must tame Miss Allen. He is a friend of the Prince Regent and allied to the throne of England. Miss Allen is attracted to him, but a banshee invades her dreams, and she fears getting close to him. There’s no real plot. Two people are interested in one another, but a nightmare banshee keeps the Scotswoman from developing a relationship. The “Lady Vengeance” angle is a subplot that serves to bring the two together. There is an excellent scene involving a young girl climbing a tree; if it had been lengthened, it would have been a better short story. No paranormal interaction, although something could have been written in, I expect.

+ + + + + +

“A Regrettable Curse,” by Maeve Greyson
Rated 5-stars
I loved this story that left me wanting to read more by this writer. Here, the sixth Duke of Ramthwaite brings home a commoner bride, Harmony, to his haunted home. The hauntings have caused all sorts of mayhem, accidents, injuries, even deaths, but they are caused by two well-meaning spirits (Edgar, once the butler, and Nettie, his wife and former housekeeper) and their ghost cat, Leopold. The tale of their deaths worked well within the story itself; it did not feel like a device. I fell in love with the three of them. Really, an excellent read!

+ + + + + +

“A Love for All Time,” by Paula Quinn
Rated 4-stars
The third Earl of Harwich is an angry ghost who wants no one in his Graven Fortress. Magnolia Montgomery is the many-great granddaughter of his duplicitous wife who murdered him. The Graven Ghost and Magnolia have a relationship that is sweet, humorous, tumultuous. They are at odds as she becomes better able to see and hear him. There is a time traveling twist in the story that at first I wasn’t fond of, then decided that it was actually a perfect touch.

There are few “stoppers” in the story. For instance, workers are running away because of the ghost in the fortress and Magnolia calls out, “It’s a just ghost!” While this is funny, I believe it should be, “It’s just a ghost.” The Graven Ghost hasn’t shown himself to be a just ghost.

+ + + + + +

“My Heart’s Song,” by Ruth A. Casie
Rated 2.5-stars
Miss Edyth Cavendish has inherited Cavendish Hall, an estate that is haunted. She meets Lord James Ellington on the train to Sommer-by-the-Sea and Cavendish Hall, and the two form a brief friendship. He tells her of his great grandmother who was married to a Cavendish nephew, so they share a distant relative.

The story has good bones, but a lot isn’t explained—or shown to us—very well. First is the ghost’s missing picture in the ancestral gallery; why does the fact that it is missing keep him tethered to earth? It’s odd. There’s also a music box that plays a haunting melody that is significant to the ghost, some letters that are also of great importance, and a garden plot where nothing will grow. While interesting side bits, they do not come together cohesively to explain how they tie the ghost to this plane of existence.

Lord Ellington brings Edyth’s gloves to her—she had left them on the train—and renews their acquaintanceship. Together, they explore the truth behind the ghost and try to remedy his condition. They succeed and have their HEA.

There are some stoppers. For instance, I believe an incorrect word is used here: “Did his love her?” I think the pronoun “he,” should have been used, as in, “Did he love her?” Oddly enough, there are even a couple mistakes in the “About the Writer” blurb at the end of the story:
 “…dress up and act out the ones Ruth creative.” I believe that should read, “…ones Ruth created.”
 Subject-verb agreement is missing: “Her sudoku books is in the bathroom.” If the subject (books) is plural, then the verb must be plural as well. This should read, “Her sudoku books are in the bathroom.”

+ + + + + +

“An Accidental Love Spell,” by Sandra Sookoo
Rated 1.5-stars
I did not care for this story, could not warm to the characters. Emmaline Francine Shaw Hastings takes over an abandoned cottage and fixes it up, making it charmingly livable. She takes up residence with a maid and footman. Along comes the owner, Christian Richard Delamare, the 8th Duke of Chalmert, who attempts to roust her out of the cottage. Emmaline is an apothecary making potions and charms and herbs for people who need them for one thing or another. He eats some honey cakes that have been bewitched with a love potion and spell. He insists that it isn’t the cakes that attract him to her. He’s right. It’s lust and sex. These two characters fall in lust. And that’s the story.

+ + + + + +

“The Earl’s Haunted Heart,” by Aurrora St. James
Rated 3-stars
Lady Eve Langley is running away from a forced marriage to Charles Barton, an elderly viscount, after getting advice from her ghostly friend, Rose, to flee to the friars at Kirkby for sanctuary. Eve sees and hears ghosts, as did her grandmother who was imprisoned because she was thought to be mad. The weather turns bad, her horse turns up lame, and she turns to Lord Ambrose Grey at Greyhaven for help. Lord Ambrose is in the throes of a self-imposed exile. He believes that he will fall into madness before he is thirty-nine and is destined to kill himself.

Together, the two of them work to determine what the problem is—it’s a ghost, of course—and Ambrose can hear and see the ghost, too. They find that a picture is missing from the ancestral gallery (similar to the story, “My Heart’s Song”) and try to find it. They discover it is a picture of Lucien Grey and while tracking down the picture, they also discover a large dose of lust and sex. I’m not sure why sex was added to the story – it wasn’t necessary and felt prurient.

The story was sweet, minus the sex. If the sex scenes were removed, the story would be just as good, and maybe better, because sex brought nothing to the plot. Successful sex scenes should be important to a plotline; here, that is not the case.

+ + + + + +

“An Invitation to Murder,” by E. L. Johnson
Rated 2.5-stars
I had a difficult time getting into this story. It seemed oddly paced, as if the scenes were simply placed one after another without an ending in mind. Some scenes are interesting, others confusing, and still others unnecessary. Together, they form a hodgepodge of a story.

Miss Violet Thorn is a thorn in her parents’ sides. She’s a spinster and at 29 years of age, it’s hopeless to believe she will ever have a family of her own…or so say her parents. Her “rich uncle Edwin” (a retired magistrate) sends her an invitation to a party; he does not invite her parents, and since she is so very much on the shelf, she’s allowed to travel unchaperoned from London to the uncle’s Hertfordshire estate.

Violet is not a sympathetic character. She is strong-willed, opinionated, and sometimes rude. Her interests in politics, crime, and the occult do not make her unsympathetic; it’s her actions and how she phrases things. For instance, when she meets another passenger going to her uncle’s home, she asks who he is and admits that “she had meant to ask politely, but it had come out more like an imperious demand.” It seems Violet realizes how she comes across at times. She frowns a lot, too.

Edwin Griffin is hosting a party of six in the hopes of not seeing a ghost reputed to be haunting his Gothic home. He has an ulterior reason as well which he tells his niece, Violet: someone is trying to kill him, one of the night’s guests—quite an interesting situation. The plot includes disproving the existence of a ghost and discovering who is intent on killing Edwin.

The guests include Miss Flora Eagle and her maid, Hawkins. Miss Eagle and Violet take an immediate dislike to one another. Another guest, Harold Fairbanks (a gardener), is often in the middle of the two women’s spates of spite. Mr. Albion Ludlow appears to be a womanizing cad. As a child, magistrate Edwin had hm picked up for theft, but Mr. Ludlow assures Violet that he has reformed. Mrs. Margaret Hemlock rounds out the guestlist for the macabre party, and at dinner, Edwin announces that he will give £100 to everyone who stays the entire night, without being frightened off by the ghost.

All but one of the guests (who seem to be connected to a floral theme) are themselves unsympathetic and indifferent to the others. The story is about the guests sniping at each other, moving about the house via secret passages and priest holes, searching for a ghost, and hoping to take home £100.

Edwin Griffin is himself a cold man, insensitive to the needs of others, particularly those over whom he held power. He tells on himself: “In my time as a magistrate, I followed the letter of the law…I sent men, fathers, brothers, and sons, to jail and worse for stealing. I knew the effect it would have on their families, but that is the law. Especially those who faced hard winters and lean harvests due to my judgments.” In the 1800s, as now, a judge had some leeway in interpreting and carrying out the law. In his case, he chose the letter of the law over the spirit behind the law and seemed proud of his choices.

There are some “stoppers” where a reader is pulled out of the story to consider what is being said. For instance,
 A sentence is oddly worded, causing the reader to pause: “She was a keen follower of Mrs. Radcliffe’s novels and felt like though rare, there was a woman writer with whom she could identify.” This can be made plainer any number of ways, for example: “…a keen follower of Mrs. Radcliffe’s novels and, though rare, a woman writer with whom she could identify.” Kudos for the use of the object pronoun, “whom.”
 In chapter 2, when the guests are about to sit down to dinner, Miss Eagle asks, “There are five of us. Who is the sixth setting for?” This is incorrect. There are six people in the party (Edwin, Violet, Harold Fairbanks, Mr. Ludlow, Miss Eagle, and Mrs. Hemlock), so the number of place settings is correct.
 When explaining how the ghost died, Edwin states, “…[she] hung herself in the attic.” That should be “…hanged herself.” Pictures are hung. People are hanged.
 Edwin received many threatening letters, and we are told that when he took them to the police, he was “laughed out of the police station and dismissed as an old man.” He says he was “accused…of trying to get attention,” and that the whole thing was no more than “a little prank.” I have a hard time believing this. He was a magistrate for many years, no doubt respected by at least some. Even in the nineteenth century, it is hard to believe that the police would treat one of their own in such a cavalier manner.
 In chapter 7, Edwin is coshed on the head and is discovered unconscious by the party guests who have a drawn out conversation over his body. That is odd. Violet asks, “Who would have wanted to hurt him?” That’s odd, too. When she arrived, her uncle outlined who might want to see him dead. She knows who might want to hurt him…or worse.
 There is an oddly worded sentence in chapter 7: “None of us knew about exactly where the secret passages were located.” The word, “about,” is unnecessary and the sentence would be better without it: “None of us knew exactly where the secret passages were located.”

There are loose ends at the end of the story. Who sent all the threatening notes to Edwin? The culprit—presumably—would not have been able to place all of them around Edwin on a daily basis. And it doesn’t end precisely. The guests leave and the story is over. There may or may not be an HEA for two of the guests. We don’t know. The premise of the book is a good one, but I think it needs an equally good edit.

I rated the collection of stories 3 stars. Three of the stories were exemplary and I’ll definitely look for books written by their writers (Mary Jo Putney, Maeve Greyson, and Paula Quinn). I found a few of the stories difficult to get into, and the last one had such a strong cast of disagreeable characters that I could not warm to it, regardless of its premise.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a good collection of stories, but there were some I didn't like as much as others.

The Cat Who Walked Through Walls Mary Jo Putney
I didn't really like this one at all. I thought the ghost cats were detracted from the story. I'd give it
2 1/2 stars.

The Night We Met Chasity Bowlin
I liked that there was a sensible reason behind the haunting, but it still had a good, creepy ambiance.
3 1/2 stars

Ghostly Lady of Braemore Susan King
It was very atmospheric, especially the 2nd half. I just thought it was silly that he pushed her away as the curse didn’t necessarily mean marriage, and IHATE when characters separate when it could be dangerous to do so. 3 stars

Midnight Tempest Mary Wine
It was a short but interesting story, almost like a fairytale. 3 stars

Lady Vengeance by Jade Lee
I didn’t enjoy the premise of who she was and how she took such risks; just didn't work for me. Barely 3 stars

A Regrettable Curse by Maeve Greyson
It was a quick read with a few ghosts. Very light romance. Wish there’d been a little more development but it was well written. 3 1/2 stars

A Love For All Time Paula Quinn
I liked this one. This was different from the others because it involved some time travel. The ending was a little abrupt and unresolved. 3 1/2 stars

My Heart’s Song Ruth A. Casie
It started out ok and then became muddled and repetitive and kind of corny. Just wasn't for me. Barely 3 stars.

An Accidental Love Spell by Sandra Sookoo
The writing was fine but completely ridiculous- her maid and footman would just leave her alone with a stranger! And just several unbelievable plots points - Examples: She’s basically agoraphobic but can walk across the land to find a remote cottage. Ghost goes through the hero but needs him to open a window to be free. Just 3 stars

The Earl’s Haunted Heart Aurrora St. James
Probably one of my favorite stories. It had a little bit of a mystery and an interesting twist. It was a quick romance but good. 3 1/2 stars

An Invitation to Murder by E.L. Johnson
This was just okay for me. The prime suspect - even though the author tried to make it seem like this person wasn't - was pretty clear because the clues were too obvious. The characters were all too stereotypical and can't understand why there was so much animosity among the characters - it didn't build tension it just made the heroine seem bitchy and the other women catty and manipulative, especially the widow. Also the motive seemed silly. It just felt like I was reading the over-the-top movie Clue. Barely 3 stars

[Cathy Geha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wraith at Midnight
A Historical Romance Anthology

Ghost stories can be read any time of the year. This book has eleven historical romances written by some authors that I have read and enjoyed before and others that were new to me. This type of collection is a great way to find a new author you might like to read again.

THE CAT WHO WALKED THROUGH WALLS by Mary Jo Putney
Childhood friends who had feelings for one another parted and thought they would never meet again end up at the same party and with the help of some magical felines manage to find their HEA.

THE NIGHT WE MET by Chastity Bowlin
A bit of a gothic feel to this one. A woman wanting to get away, a man who needs a governess for his niece, chemistry aplenty, and some negative energy to overcome.

GHOSTLY LADY OF BRAEMORE by Susan King
Friends that love one another and plan to marry suddenly are broken apart by a curse – they do manage to later work together to try to fix the situation so they can marry.

MIDNIGHT TEMPEST by Mary Wine
Forced proximity with some travel between the real world and a ghostly one that intrigued me and really enjoying the story that saw two people perfect for one another fighting for life and for one another.

LADY VENGEANCE by Jade Lee
Scottish miss who had a rough childhood is in London to find a husband but takes on the role of Lady Vengeance and in so doing meets the perfect man for her.

I have more to read and am looking forward to doing so soon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spine-tingling and heart-throbbing anthology that combines two beloved genres—Historical Romance and Gothic Horror—into an unforgettable reading experience. If you are a fan of both the supernatural and romantic tales, this collection brings together a fantastic selection of talented authors, each offering their unique spin on haunted settings and romantic entanglements that will leave you both chilled and captivated.

The collection spans a range of historical settings, from the misty moors of Devon to the grand ballrooms of Regency London and even the dark and mysterious Scottish Highlands. Though the stories vary in tone and style, they are sure to both enchant and spook you and keep you reading till the last page. All the authors do a wonderful job of balancing the thrills of ghostly apparitions with the chemistry and emotional depth of their characters, offering a rich and varied reading experience.

In conclusion, this is one collection that you will definitely want to pick up if you love historical romances with a ghostly twist. It will certainly keep you turning the pages, both for the romance and the eerie thrills, making it a perfect companion for those long, cozy nights.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

As with any anthology or collection of stories there were some here that I really liked, some that were just okay, and a few that didn't really work for me. The big difference between this Dragonblade Halloween anthology and past ones is that the ones here seem tame by comparison. Definitely more light-hearted or human-based rather than scary and supernatural. My favorite stories were those by Maeve Grayson (both sad and funny at the same time with the ghosts a bit on the bumbling side), Paula Quinn (really liked how the characters started off strongly disliking one another and their bond grew the more they interacted - the time travel part was good too), Aurrora St. James (partly because it was really well crafted and partly because it tied back to her Earl's Timely Wallflower book which is a favorite of mine), and E.L. Johnson (the mystery wasn't too difficult to figure out but there was a nice twist and then made you question if there really was a ghost or not). The stories by Sandra Sookoo and Jade Lee were good by themselves but didn't really quite fit in with the theme and the supernatural parts felt a little forced.

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good collection!

I love getting ahold of an anthology. It gives me a chance to possibly read some new-to-me authors and reconnect with others I am familiar with. This set of “ghostly” tales was fun to read and were set in various time periods and locations. I honestly like all of them, but “The Earl’s Haunted Heart” by Aurrora St. James was, perhaps, a bit more unique as compared to the rest. In this tale, both the hero and the heroine were susceptible to seeing and/or hearing ghosts. Lady Eve was considered “addled” or peculiar while Lord Ambrose (the Earl of Stamford) had self secluded at one of his manors due to a curse that killed several men in his family. Finding each other through a daring escape and a majorly heavy thunder storm was certainly a twist of fate. Once they openly faced their ‘gift’, Eve took control of the situation they found themselves in, and the true ghost story came to light. I think this was the first ghost story I’ve read that had both main characters with similar “afflictions”, and it put an interesting twist to the tale. But, as I mentioned, I found all of these tales to be quite interesting and it was hard to put the book down when I had run out of time to read. Kudos to all of the authors!!

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Wraith at Midnight, A Historical Romance Anthology by Mary Jo Putney, Chasity Bowlin, Susan King, Mary Wine, Jade Lee, Maeve Greyson, Paula Quinn, Ruth A. Casie, Sandra Sookoo, Aurrora St. James, and E.L. Johnson contains stories that are supernatural and atmospheric. Some are spookier than others, but none are horror, scary stories. Some have more romance than others. Many are clean or closed bedroom door with a few more streamy ones.

Of course, I liked some better than the others. My personal likes are the following:
The Cat Who Walked Through Walls by Mary Jo Putney, with some wonderful feline match makers.
A Regrettable Curse by Maeve Greyson with a curse to be broken.
My Heart’s Song Ruth A. Casie, a new-to-me-author with a haunted house with a curse to be broken.

Others may have different favorites since there is sure to be something for everyone. Isn’t that the best thing about anthologies, something for everyone.

[Cheryl McTyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun Halloween time read to get you in the spirit of the spooky season. 11 authors come together to offer their stories of ghosts, haunted mansions, a few fun furry animals to add some humor and spirits, And of course, a HEA to top everything off. I enjoyed most of the novella's, a few authors I had never read before, and several I have. My favorites were "The Cat Who Walked Through Walls" by Mary Jo Putney about two friends who grew up together that realize they were made for each other all along, by the help of what else, cats who walk through walls. A few were predictable, but still enjoyable. One or two could be expanded into full length books and I would read all over again with more details, One such was, "Ghostly Lady at Braemore," I'll read more by this author. "Regretable Curse" by Maeve Greyson was humorous, ghsts and mistakes and lost love, and new love. An Invitation to Murder" includes attempted murder and matchmaking. A great way to end the anthology.

All together I enjoyed this and would read over again next year.

[Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this collection of “spooky” stories and I read it just in time for Halloween. I love the idea of a collection of short stories together by different authors to give us a way to discover new authors. In this fun collection we found stories inspired by myths and legends together in never-before published stories that you will want to read over and over. I found some new-to-me authors like Maeve Greyson and Sandra Sookoo. There were even some of my favorite authors included like Chasity Bowlin and Mary Jo Putney. Every story was so creative and fun, even gave me some chills. It is the perfect collection to snuggle up on a cold day and read. I am always a fan of ghost stories. I never knew I would love the idea of spooky romances but I am sure a huge fan now. You're going to love this collection and you will not be able to put it down.
1000 stars

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an short story anthology by multiple authors that all deal with ghost and the paranormal. I recognized several of the authors but jotted down the names of several new ones. Many of your favorite Historical Romance authors have come together for a collection of never-before published stories inspired by legendary hauntings and ghostly myths. A derelict old castle? A spectral lady wandering the forests? These tales will give you a chill, a thrill, and have you reading them over and over. From the moors of Devon to the ballrooms of Regency London, and far north into the Scottish Highlands, these stories will bring you wistful dreams of legendary and haunting romance. You’ve never before experience a collection like this by some of the very best authors in Historical Romance.

[Nicole Reads Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally love a themed anthology, and I was looking forward to some spooky HistRom stories! I rarely read all stories in an antho and this one was no different, those that I did read were atmospheric, some more paranormal than others.

I did pick this up for one author specifically and was very disappointed that their story in this "never-before published" anthology was in fact "excerpted and edited from" a 2022 Dragonblade title.

Thank you to the publisher for an eARC of this book via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I am asked to recommend an author or genre to anyone looking for something new or different, I have a long list of anthologies, including this one, that I recommend. Anthologies are the best way to discover authors. They must flex their writing skills to provide great stories in th elength of most chapters. I've added many authors to my TBR lists and so have my reading buddies and family. This anthology is eleven authors tasked to write haunting romances. Each story weaves a gothic thread through a romance sure to find a place in your dreams this spooky season.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this collection of haunted Historical Romances! Romances that have spooky and/or haunted romances are my favorite, and this collection hit the ball out of the park. I especially enjoyed that all of the novellas in this collection were true historical romances that definitely had the haunted storyline. I didn’t feel like I was missing either of those elements, which I imagine is difficult for authors trying to get that balance. Kudos to the authors and kudos to the publisher. I hope to see more offerings in this vein.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A series of stories from amazing author to keep you warm on Halloween. Each story is wrapped in the ideas and concepts of Halloween. A black cat with matchmaking ideas, nightmare dreams that foretell darkness, ghosts and more. Each author brings to life a short story that always includes romance and love. For those who haven't read these authors, this is an exceptional value and opportunity to read amazing creativity. For those of us who follow and read these authors, a great way to spend a few afternoons with old friends. Love it!

[Winnifred D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up. This is overall an entertaining collection of ghost-themed HR novellas, with varying levels of spookiness and romance. I discovered a couple of authors I would like to read more from in the future. (Note: the Jade Lee entry was edited from a previously published work).

I read an ARC of this anthology and this is my honest, voluntary review. Thanks to the authors, Dragon Blade publishing, and Net Galley for this opportunity.

[JudyAnnLovesBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved every single story in this collection! From start to finish, this book kept me entertained and coming back for more. Just when I thought I had read my favourite, the next one was just as good. The underlying theme of Halloween was fantastic as well. I highly recommend this book for lovers of short stories that will nevertheless leave you satisfied. I’m giving A WRAITH AT MIDNIGHT the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR & Enjoy!

[Sahar's Honest Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enchanting, Haunting, and Absolutely Delightful

I read all the stories in this wonderful historical romance boxed set. I found them all to be delightful. There are ghosts, hauntings, and other happenings that will give you chills. However, there is also love that will keep evil at bay. I recommend this delightful anthology to those who like historical romance with a healthy dose of the paranormal. This lovely boxed set will provide many hours of delightful entertainment.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eleven amazing authors share this collection of supernatural Halloween stories. There is something for everyone's enjoyment. Plenty of spooky, ghostly stories, haunted romances, and wonderful characters. A matchmaking black cat was one of my personal favorites.
I recommend sitting back with a cup of tea or coffee and take your time enjoying these stories!

[Fredine Purvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wealth at Midnight: A Historical Romance Anthology,Mary Jo Putney, Chastity Bowlin, Susan King, Ma

This is great book full of mystery, intrigue and much romance. Each story is so enjoyable with the ear ie feeling of a mystery with a romantic vibe. You have
to read each authors amazing imagination. I loved each story.

[Mum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the stories were enjoyable. With all the stories there was the inevitable one bad story but I will not penalize the book for one that did not appeal to me. They were all set around Halloween so there was the paranormal element which was handled well in most of the stories. The stories were short enough to read one and put the book down.

[Gylene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this Halloween theme anthology by the various authors!! I thought each author did a great job with their stories!! The stories were fun with wonderful characters and was perfect for setting the mood for Halloween!! I highly recommend this book!!

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a real mixed bag, I DNF’d six of the novellas. I did however really enjoy Jade Lee’s and Susan King’s stories.

[Lola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the idea of this anthology, but I expected something more halloween-ish. Most of the stories are a little bit spoky but nothing with horror or scary, which is bittersweet.
But in general, I enjoyed it.

Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy

[Janelle Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A variety of spooky historical romance

All of these historical romance stories feature a ghostly presence of one form or another but all of them finish with a happy ending for the couple.